2019 AP® World History Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary Inside: Long Essay Question 2 R Scoring Guideline R Student Samples R Scoring Commentary © 2019 The College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org. AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org. AP® WORLD HISTORY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 2 — Long Essay Question “In the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., the rise of large-scale empires led to increasing regional and transregional trade. Develop an argument that evaluates the extent to which the rise of one or more empires contributed to an increase in trade in this time period.” Maximum Possible Points: 6 Scoring Note: Essays may discuss increases in any type of trade, including regional and local trade. Points Rubric Notes Thesis/Claim: Responds to the prompt The thesis statement must make a historically with a historically defensible defensible claim about the extent to which the rise of thesis/claim that establishes a line of one or more empires contributed to an increase in trade reasoning. (1 point) in the period from 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., with some indication of the reasoning for making that claim. To earn this point, the thesis must make a claim that responds to the prompt, The thesis is not required to encompass the entire period, rather than merely restating or rephrasing but must identify a relevant development or developments the prompt. The thesis must consist of in the period. one or more sentences located in one place, either in the introduction or the Examples: 1) – conclusion. ● “In the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. rising empires 0 ( encouraged an increase in trade both within and Thesis/Claim across world regions in a variety of ways such as by A: providing peace and security, developing roads and markets, and issuing currencies.” (Responds to the prompt with an evaluative claim that establishes a line of reasoning.) ● “Empires in this period increased trade by providing security across their territories.” (Responds to the prompt with a minimally acceptable claim that establishes a line of reasoning.) Contextualization: Describes a broader To earn this point, the essay must accurately describe a historical context relevant to the context relevant to the rise of one or more empires prompt. (1 point) and/or increasing trade in the period circa 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. To earn this point, the response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader Example: 1) – historical events, developments, or ● “In the period 600 B.C.E.-600 C.E., the rulers of many (0 processes that occur before, during, or empires created more complex governments, raised continue after the time frame of the larger armies, and some empires used new religions Contextualization question. This point is not awarded for developing in this period to bolster their power.” B: merely a phrase or a reference. (Relates broader events and developments to the topic.) © 2019 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org. AP® WORLD HISTORY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 2 — Long Essay Question (continued) Evidence: Provides specific examples To earn the first point, the response must identify at least of evidence relevant to the topic of the two specific historical examples relevant to whether the prompt. (1 point) rise of empires led to increases in trade in the period from 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. Examples (acceptable): ● “The Persians used some of the first minted coins.” (Counts toward earning the point because there is a specific historical example relevant to the prompt.) ● “Parthia’s location contributed to the growth of trade in spices.” (Counts toward earning the point because there is a specific historical example relevant to the prompt.) ● “The network of paved roads in the Roman Empire helped increase trade in the empire.” (Counts 2) – toward earning the point because there is a specific (0 historical example relevant to the prompt.) ● “The Qin and Han dynasties in China helped expand trade by standardizing weights and measures, and appointing market inspectors.” (Counts toward Evidence earning the point because there is a specific historical C: example relevant to the prompt.) Examples (unacceptable): ● “The paving of trade roads led to the growth of trading practices.” (Does not count toward earning the point because the information provided is not specific to a time and place.) ● “During the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. rising imperial states contributed to the growth of both regional and transregional trade, as people exchanged more goods.” (Does not count toward earning the point because there is no specific information beyond what is provided in the introductory statement.) © 2019 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org. AP® WORLD HISTORY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 2 — Long Essay Question (continued) OR OR Supports an Argument: Supports an To earn the second point, the response must use at least argument in response to the prompt two specific historical examples to support an argument using specific and relevant examples of in response to the prompt. evidence. (2 points) If a response has a multipart argument (e.g., the expansion of some empires increased trade while the expansion of other empires disrupted trade), then the response can earn the second evidence point by using only one specific historical example for each part of the multipart argument (but the total number of examples used must still be at least two). Evidence used to support an argument might include: ● The Royal Road in the Persian Empire shortened travel times and stimulated trade between the capital and the provinces. ● The Hellenistic empires greatly expanded trade in the Eastern Mediterranean because of the common language and culture. ● The Han Dynasty used the Silk Road to export luxury goods to distant locations. ● The Roman Empire developed a system of state sponsored purchases of grain from Egypt in order to feed the growing population of Rome. Historical Reasoning: Uses historical Essays must use historical reasoning to explain the extent reasoning (e.g., comparison, causation, to which the rise of one or more empires contributed to an 2) – continuity and change over time) to increase in trade in the period from 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. (0 frame or structure an argument that addresses the prompt. (1 point) Examples of using historical reasoning might include: ● Explaining how imperial expansion or consolidation To earn the first point, the response must contributed to the geographic expansion of trade Reasoning demonstrate the use of historical networks reasoning to frame or structure an Explaining how imperial expansion or and ● argument about the extent to which the consolidation led to growing demand for trade rise of one or more empires contributed to goods an increase in trade in the period from ● Explaining how imperial expansion or Analysis 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. consolidation led to the drawing of new peoples D: into commercial networks © 2019 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org. AP® WORLD HISTORY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 2 — Long Essay Question (continued) OR OR Complexity: Demonstrates a complex Demonstrating complex understanding might include: understanding of the historical ● Explaining the nuance of an issue by analyzing development that is the focus of multiple variables or by considering diverse or prompt, using evidence to corroborate, alternative perspectives or evidence, such as qualify, or modify an argument that constructing an argument about how trade addresses the prompt. (2 points) expansion in this period was mostly accomplished by nonimperial actors, such as commercial city- To earn the second point, the response states (as in Phoenicia and Greece) or merchant must demonstrate a complex groups (such as Sogdians or diaspora Jews) understanding of the extent to which the ● Qualifying or modifying the main argument of the rise of one more empires contributed to essay to demonstrate awareness of historical an increase in trade in the period from complexity, such as constructing an argument that 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. the rise of empires generally expanded trade, but in other cases limited trade either by disrupting existing trade networks (for example, Alexander’s conquests led to an economic and commercial decline of the core Persian territories) or by empires implementing policies to limit the power of merchants (for example, the Han Dynasty imposing heavy taxes on merchants and limiting their ability to own land) ● Explaining relevant and insightful connections across time and space, such as explaining how the rise of empires in Eurasia contributed both to the increased trade in the so-called First Silk Roads period (from circa 50 B.C.E. to circa 200 C.E.) and to the revival of that trade in the so-called Second Silk Roads period (from circa 700 to circa 1200 C.E.) This demonstration of complex understanding must be part of the argument, not merely a phrase or reference. If response is completely blank, enter - - for all four score categories: A, B, C, and D. © 2019 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org. AP® WORLD HISTORY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 2 — Long Essay Question (continued) Scoring Notes Introductory notes: • Except where otherwise noted, each point of these rubrics is earned independently; for example, a student could earn a point for evidence without earning a point for thesis/claim. • Accuracy: The components of these rubrics require that students demonstrate historically defensible content knowledge.